Conservative William Gallagher clinched third, with Gordon Williams, who quit the Labour Party to stand as an Independent, fourth.

BNP candidate Dallus Weaver polled 88 votes to finish fifth, leaving former Green Party member Klaus Armstrong-Braun bottom of the poll with 38 votes. The turnout was about 33%.

Cllr Gareth Williams, of Buckley, deputy leader of the Labour-controlled council, said: 'I don't consider this result as an indication of what would happen in full council elections.

'In fact, if Gordon Williams had not quit the Labour Party to stand as an independent, the 88 votes he polled may have gone to Labour's candidate and she would have romped to victory.'

Cllr Patrick Heesom, leader of the Alliance Group on the council, said he was delighted to welcome Mr Williams as a member.

He said: 'This result shows Labour's control of the county council is coming to an end.'

Mr Williams started his working life as a British Steel apprentice, later becoming an aircraft fitter at British Aerospace.

He later became a teacher, first working in schools in Clwyd and Cheshire before joining Whitby High School, Ellesmere Port, where he teaches design and technology. nThe full result of the by-election was: David Williams (Ind) 304; Cindy Hinds (Lab) 271; William Gallagher (Con) 203; Gordon Williams (Ind) 88; Dallus Weaver (BNP) 88; and Klaus Armstrong Braun, 38. george.tattum@cheshirenews.co.uk